Man steals car in Alameda, burglarizes home in Oakland, police say

By Peter Hegarty and Harry Harris

Staff Writers

Posted:
01/30/2014 05:14:01 PM PST

Updated:
01/30/2014 06:12:03 PM PST

ALAMEDA -- A man suspected of stealing a car on Fernside Boulevard on Tuesday was arrested less than an hour later in East Oakland, where police said he was caught exiting a home that he had just burglarized.

Chantha Koug, 24, of Oakland was arrested at the rear of the house in the 2400 block of 12th Avenue, while the cream 1998 Toyota Avalon stolen in Alameda was found parked nearby, police said,

Investigators believe an accomplice of Koug, who is also known as Tony Iem, likely escaped from the scene, despite an extensive search using a police dog.

The 86-year-old woman who owns the Toyota told Alameda police that the theft occurred about noon, just after she had just gotten out of the car to move her garbage and recycling bins. The key was in the ignition and the thief, who was passing and spotted the car, climbed into the driver's seat and sped off.

The woman's home is on Fernside Boulevard near the High Street Bridge, linking Oakland and Alameda.

As Alameda officers were investigating the theft, Oakland police were dispatched regarding a burglary in the 2400 block of 12th Avenue after receiving calls about 12:45 p.m. from nearby residents.